DiscoverTrail Runner NationEP 758: Ox Blood to Aid Stations: The Wild Evolution of Endurance Nutrition
EP 758: Ox Blood to Aid Stations: The Wild Evolution of Endurance Nutrition

EP 758: Ox Blood to Aid Stations: The Wild Evolution of Endurance Nutrition

Update: 2025-12-05
Share

Description

In this episode, we talk with exercise scientist Dr. Nick Tiller, author of the Ultrarunning Magazine article "Protein While Racing, Training Runs to Predict Performance & Progressing to Ultra." Starting from the wild story of Milo of Croton—an ancient athlete who drank ox blood and ate raw animal flesh—we trace how endurance nutrition has swung from carb-loading to fat-adaptation and ask where protein fits in today. Dr. Tiller explains why small amounts of protein during long races can help with muscle damage and taste fatigue, how to "train your gut" just like your legs, and why aid station real food matters more than we think. We also touch on creatine—why it works, why it may not be ideal for most endurance runners—and how to use science and healthy skepticism to cut through the wellness and nutrition noise on the trail.

Find out more about Dr. Nick

Episode Sponsors

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

EP 758: Ox Blood to Aid Stations: The Wild Evolution of Endurance Nutrition

EP 758: Ox Blood to Aid Stations: The Wild Evolution of Endurance Nutrition